JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Improvements in digital health capabilities of health systems provide new opportunities for integration of Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) solutions in routine care which can facilitate the delivery of person-centered diabetes care. We undertook this study as part of our development of a new digital PRO diabetes questionnaire and clinical digital dialogue support tool for use by people with diabetes (PWD) and their health care professionals (HCP) in order to improve person-centered diabetes care quality and outcomes.

Objective:

This formative pilot study aimed to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and perceived benefits and impacts of use of a digital PRO diabetes tool, DiaProfil, in routine outpatient diabetes care.

Methods:

Twelve PWD scheduled for routine medical diabetes visits at the outpatient clinic were recruited. Purposive sampling was used to optimize heterogeneity regarding age, gender, duration, type of diabetes, treatment modality, and disease severity. Participants filled out a PRO questionnaire 2-10 days prior to their visit. During the visit, the HCP used a digital PRO tool to review the PRO data with the PWD for collaborative care planning. Participants completed evaluation forms before and after the visit and were interviewed for 30-45 minutes after the visit. HCP completed evaluation questionnaires after each visit. All visits were audio-recorded and transcribed for analysis. Data was analyzed using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods analysis methods.

Results:

PWD experienced the PRO diabetes questionnaire was relevant, acceptable, and feasible to complete from home. Both PWD and HCP found the digital PRO tool to be feasible and acceptable for use during the diabetes visit and would like to continue using it. HCP were able to use the tool in a person-centered way as intended. For several PWD, completion of the questionnaire facilitated positive reflection and better preparation for the visit. The use of the PRO tool primarily improved the quality of the dialogue by increasing focus on the PWD’s priorities.

Conclusions:

The Danish PRO diabetes questionnaire and the digital tool, DiaProfil is a feasible and acceptable solution for routine diabetes visits and the tool may generate important benefits related to advancement of person-centered diabetes care. Further research is now required to corroborate and expand these formative insights in a larger scale and in diverse healthcare settings. Clinical Trial: Not applicable.